Pantry storage

Does coconut oil need to be refrigerated after opening?

No. An open jar keeps in the pantry, like a sealed one. FoodKeeper gives coconut oil three years in the pantry and says refrigeration is not recommended because it makes the oil hard to use.

These times are a guide, not a safety guarantee, and a label that says to refrigerate comes first.

How we checked this: the storage times here come from the sources named on the page, and each one is checked against its source before the page goes live. Editorial policy

A jar that has turned liquid, or is half solid and half liquid, is fine. Nutiva says coconut oil changes with the temperature and that this does not harm the oil. Source: Nutiva: FAQ (opens in a new tab)

Kitchen list sorted by use soon, grouped into fridge and pantry, each item with its amount and buttons to change it
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Unopened and opened

Unopened and opened packages keep for different times. These are the times the source gives.

Unopened
About 3 years in the pantry
After opening
The source gives one storage time for coconut oil, the one above, and no separate time once it is open. Close it tightly after each use, and if the label says to refrigerate after opening, follow the label.
Where to keep it once open
Pantry or cupboard. The source advises against the fridge.

Sources and limits

The after-opening time runs from the day you opened it, not from the date printed on the package, so write that day down. Well Stockd doesn’t know when your package was made, bought or opened: follow the package directions, keep it somewhere cool and dark, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.

The storage times above are quoted from the sources below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee: quality varies with packaging, temperature and how the package is handled between uses. Nothing here overrides a label that says to refrigerate. This page was last updated .